Page:Kalevala (Kirby 1907) v1.djvu/232

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But without a plough employing,

And without a ploughshare guiding.

Once the field was ploughed by Hiisi,

Lempo seamed it next with furrows,

With the ploughshare formed of copper,

With the plough in furnace smelted;

But my own son, most unhappy,

Left the half untilled behind him.”

Then the smith, e’en Ilmarinen,

Sought the maiden in her chamber,

And he spoke the words which follow:

“Night’s own daughter, twilight maiden,

Do you not the time remember,

When I forged the Sampo for you,

And the brilliant cover welded,

And a binding oath thou sweared’st,

By the God whom all men worship,

’Fore the face of Him Almighty,

And you gave a certain promise

Unto me, the mighty hero,

You would be my friend for ever,

Dove-like in my arms to nestle?

Nothing will your mother grant me,

Nor will she her daughter give me,

Till I plough the field of vipers,

Where the writhing snakes are swarming.”

Then his bride assistance lent him,

And advice the maiden gave him:

“O thou smith, O Ilmarinen,

Thou the great primeval craftsman!

Forge thyself a plough all golden,

Cunningly bedecked with silver,

Then go plough the field of serpents,

Where the writhing snakes are swarming.”

Then the smith, e’en Ilmarinen,

Laid the gold upon the anvil,

Worked the bellows on the silver,

And he forged the plough he needed,

And he forged him shoes of iron;

Greaves of steel he next constructed,